Xanax, also known as alprazolam, can relieve anxiety, promote sleep, relax muscles, stop convulsions and beneficially sedate an individual.

Xanax, is known as a benzodiazepine-type drug which is actually a depressant and is used primarily to help treat or cure people of anxiety disorders. Xanax works by depressing the central nervous system and by blocking the brain's ability to prevent neurons from firing. What this does is it decreases the brain's activity and helps to create a calming effect on the person taking the drug. Essentially, it creates a similar brain activity to that of a depressed person, though usually without the feelings of depression or any of its symptoms.

How do I take it?
Xanax tablets can be taken either with or without food. They should be swallowed with a drink.
Always take the medicine as directed by your doctor. Do not exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor.
The body rapidly becomes used to benzodiazepine drugs and they can be addictive. As a result, they are useful for short-term help (two to four weeks), but should not generally be used for longer periods.
Treatment with this medicine should be stopped gradually by slowly reducing the dose, following the instructions given by your doctor. This is because suddenly stopping treatment can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, restlessness, confusion, sweating, tremor, loss of appetite, difficutly sleeping, irritability, severe anxiety, sensitivity to light, noise or physical contact, hallucinations or convulsions. These can be avoided by stopping treatment slowly.

Alprazolam Side Effects
The side effects of Alprazolam are similar to other benzodiazepines. The main concern is sedation. Alprazolam can cause extreme fatigue, not unlike alcohol use. It may also cause concentration problems, poor motor skills, memory loss, and lack of coordination. While many medicines tell you not to operate machinery or drive until you know how the drug affects you, with Alprazolam you absolutely need to follow that advice. Other side effects include:
- Lack of inhibitions/lack of fear
- Dizziness/vertigo
- Dry mouth
- Trouble breathing
- Memory loss
- Changes in sex drive
- Upset stomach/nausea, and headaches may also occur.
Combining Alprazolam with other drugs of abuse can also be fatal. Alprazolam should absolutely not be taken with alcohol.

Despite what many people will tell you, anxiety drugs are not inherently bad. For those that have not seen success with other treatments, or those whose anxiety is so severe they need immediate relief simply to get through their day, anxiety medications may not be a terrible idea. They have side effects, but they're generally not too dangerous, and Alprazolam is an example of one of the few medicines that could have an impact on your life.